Single chains of block copolymers in poor solvents: handshake, spiral, and lamellar globules formed by geometric frustration

A single multiblock copolymer chain in poor solvent undergoes microphase separation within its own globule, driven by the same kind of forces operating in the bulk system. However, the necessity of packing a large AB interface into a small volume leads to novel convoluted geometries. Long block leng...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2007-11, Vol.99 (22), p.228302-228302, Article 228302
Main Authors: Parsons, Drew F, Williams, David R M
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A single multiblock copolymer chain in poor solvent undergoes microphase separation within its own globule, driven by the same kind of forces operating in the bulk system. However, the necessity of packing a large AB interface into a small volume leads to novel convoluted geometries. Long block lengths form a double droplet. Very short block lengths exhibit bulk behavior, forming a lamellar globule. With intermediate block lengths, the AB interface buckles to form a hand shake or spiral dicluster. An order-disorder transition is reported for short block lengths.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.228302